AliceI sat anxiously in my hospital bed, my fingers nervously drumming against the railing. Despite the relief that washed over me when the doctor announced our baby was fine, worry still gnawed at my mind. Xavier's sudden nosebleed had left me on edge. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.As I bit my fingernails, my mind whirled with possibilities. Was it stress? Had everything that happened finally taken its toll on him?Just then, the door swung open, and I straightened up, my heart racing with anticipation. Xavier walked in, a gentle smile on his face, and I breathed a sigh of relief."Hey," he said softly, approaching me.I stood up, the drip stand rolling beside me, but Xavier quickly intervened."Whoa, no, no, go back to bed," he said, guiding me gently back onto the mattress."But what happened?" I asked, my brow furrowed with concern. "What did the doctor say?"Xavier waved his hand dismissively. "Just stress, that's all."I narrowed my eyes, skepticism writt
XavierSitting comfortably in Lumber's living room, he smiled warmly and asked us, "Can I get you something to drink? Coffee, water, or perhaps something stronger?""I'll just have water, thank you," I replied.Alice smiled beside me. "I'll take coffee, please."Lumber nodded and left the room, returning a few minutes later with a steaming cup of coffee and a glass of water. We both said "thank you" in unison as he handed us our drinks.After taking a few sips, we turned our attention to Lumber, who sat opposite us.He leaned forward, his eyes curious. "What do I owe this surprise visit?"I sighed deeply, feeling a mix of emotions. "Lumber, I actually came to apologize for what happened. I'm sorry for not believing you, for suspecting you, and getting you arrested. I'm really sorry."His expression softened, and he smiled. "It's fine, sir. I understand. She lied about everything, lied against me... but it's fine now. I understand that things can happen."Alice spoke up, her voice fill
XavierAs Alice walked up to me, I remained still, my eyes fixed on her. Even without the wedding dress, she radiated a captivating aura. My chest fluttered, and I felt lost in thought.She tapped me gently on the shoulder, breaking the spell. "Xavier, are you alright?" she asked, concern etched on her face.I swallowed hard, composing myself. "I guess so," I replied, my voice low.She smiled. "We aren't done here, right? Because you need to wear the—""Yeah. I'll go put it on right now," I interrupted, nodding.With the staff's assistance, I headed to the dressing room. Moments later, I emerged, dressed in the tailored suit.Alice's eyes widened as she stood up, applauding. "Wow, you look dashing, handsome Mr. Xavier Blackwood!" she exclaimed.I smiled, feeling a sense of pride. "Thank you," I said, bowing slightly.After we were done, we headed outside, and as we settled into the car, I took the wheel, and we glided into the evening traffic. But as we drove, a creeping migraine bega
AliceI wondered what was happening. My eyes widened as I tried to understand the whole situation between this woman and us."I saw this little kid outside," she said softly. "He says he lost his mother.""It's me!" a woman exclaimed, rushing towards us. She hugged her son tightly, tears of relief in her eyes.After thanking the lady, she took her child back to her seat. The woman turned to us, a small smile on her face."Wishing you both the best, Xavier," she said, her voice laced with a hint of melancholy.I watched in stunned silence as the drama unfolded before me. The woman's sudden appearance, the lost child, the frantic mother – it all seemed too coincidental. And now, this woman was smiling at Xavier, a hint of familiarity in her eyes.As Xavier grabbed her arm, I felt a pang of jealousy. Who was this woman really, and why was she unnecessarily interrupting our wedding? I tried to push the feeling aside, telling myself I was being ridiculous.But as I looked at her, I couldn'
AliceAs I sat on the beach, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled the air, and the warm sand shifted beneath me. A stranger's voice broke the serenity, "The name is Lexi, what about yours?"I turned to face him, my long hair dancing in the ocean breeze. "Alice," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. I stepped back, my eyes drifting to the sand as I began to play with it, my fingers tracing patterns in the warm grains.Lexi's voice drew my attention back. "Excuse me, did you say your name is Alice?"I turned to him, a hint of a smile on my lips. "Yeah, great name, huh?"Lexi's eyes widened as he dug his hand into his trousers and produced an invitation card. "Is this… you... Alice Brown?"My eyes narrowed as I took the card from him, my fingers tracing the embossed letters. "How did you get this?" I asked, my voice laced with a mix of curiosity and wariness.It was my golden wedding invitation card. How the hell did he get this?"My brother sent it to me," he
Alice"Xavier!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, "Don't go in there! What are you doing?" But he didn't listen. He continued to wade deeper into the water, determined to find the ring.I yelled again, "You won't even find the ring! Stop it already!" But Xavier was too focused on his quest. He didn't seem to care about the danger he was putting himself in.I sighed deeply and ran to Lexi, grabbing his arm. "Please, save him before he does something stupid!" I begged.Lexi's expression turned grim. "There's nothing I can do. I can't swim, and... Xavier can't swim either."My eyes widened in horror. "What? Xavier can't swim? Oh no!"Without thinking, I started running towards the water, holding up the sides of the dress. I didn't care that I was cold or that the water was deep. I just wanted to save Xavier.But just as I was about to reach the water's edge, Lexi grabbed my hand, holding me back."Leave me alone! Stop! Let me go!" I struggled against his grip."Calm down, Alice!" he sai
XavierThe car's engine purred to life as we settled in for the drive home. Alice sat close, her presence warming my side. Lexi climbed into the backseat, his eyes growing dull with exhaustion. A glance at her revealed a faint shiver, her shoulders trembling slightly. The cold had finally caught up with her. My hand reached for the heater controls, cranking up the warmth. As the air vents blew gentle heat, I shed my jacket, draping it over her shoulders."I'm fine, I'm fine," she protested, her voice weak."No," I objected, a heavy glint in my eyes. "Just be quiet and put this on."Her eyes met mine, a whisper of gratitude escaping her lips. "Thank you."A soft smile played on her lips as she snuggled into the jacket's warmth. The drive continued, the silence between us comfortable.Alice's voice broke the quiet, laced with concern. "Do you think your parents will be mad at me? I mean, I'm sure your mom will be really mad... Oh, goodness, I'm so ashamed of myself."A reassuring smile
AliceFinally, the grandeur of the mansion loomed before us, its imposing structure a testament to the wealth and opulence that lay within. And that means that I married a billionaire! Legally and officially, yes!As we stepped out of the car, the cool night air enveloped us, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant chirping of crickets.Lexi stretched, yawning widely as he emerged from the backseat. Wendy chattered excitedly, her eyes shining with excitement as she stared at her cousin.Xavier offered me his arm, his eyes meeting mine with a warm smile.Together, the four of us walked towards the entrance, the soft glow of the mansion's lights spilling out onto the driveway like a golden welcome mat.It's time for a new chapter in my life…As we climbed the stairs, I reached the door to my room, but before I could open it, Xavier's hand closed around mine, holding me back. I turned to him, our eyes meeting in the dimly lit hallway."What is it?" I whispered, my vo
AliceI shook Xavier's shoulders, my voice escalating into a frantic scream. "Xavier, wake up! Xavier, please!"But he lay motionless, his eyes closed, his chest still. I slapped his face, my fingers trembling with desperation. "Xavier, wake up!" Still, there was no response. No flicker of movement. No whisper of breath.Panic set in, my heart racing like a jackhammer. I leapt out of bed, my legs buckling beneath me. I stumbled out of the room, down the hallway, and into the doctor's office, my screams echoing off the walls. "Please help me! My husband isn't waking up! What's happening?"The doctor's face turned ashen, and he sprinted after me, his team of nurses and hospital staff hot on our heels. "We need to move, now!" the doctor yelled, his voice low and urgent.As we burst back into the room, the medical team descended upon Xavier, their faces set with determination. "We have to save him," one of the nurses whispered, her voice laced with desperation. "We can't let him slip away
XavierI took a deep breath before explaining. "I met Phoebe that day because I didn't want to meet her.""And what does that mean?" she asked, her brows furrowing."I was at the bar, minding my own business, when she showed up out of nowhere. I tried to brush her off, told her I didn't want her around, but she was stubborn. She kept making excuses, trying to get my attention."Alice's eyes narrowed, her interest piqued."When I decided to leave, she followed me," I continued. "And then... she almost committed suicide by running into the middle of the road. I had to save her, of course."Alice's eyes widened in shock, and then a radiant smile spread across her face. "I just love this man so much," she whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "He's such a savior."I couldn't help but smile back at her, my heart skipping a beat. I brushed it off as a side effect of my illness, but deep down, I knew it was something more.As Alice leaned in, her heart pounding in her chest, I felt her w
XavierAs I chewed the food Alice fed me, I felt a surge of gratitude toward her. She was taking care of me, nursing me back to health. I swallowed the bite and smiled weakly. "I think I'm okay now," I said, trying to reassure her.But Alice wouldn't have it. "Eat, please," she coaxed, her eyes pleading with me. I didn't have a choice; I took another bite, the flavors dancing on my tongue.Just as I was savoring the taste, Alice asked, "Are you really going to die?" Her words caught me off guard, and I choked on the food. Coughing, I struggled to catch my breath.She quickly handed me the water bottle, and I drank hurriedly, trying to calm down. When I finally composed myself, Alice apologized, "I'm sorry if that triggered you..." But she didn't back down. "Are you still going to die?"I looked at her, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I forced a laugh, trying to reassure her. "No, I'm not gonna die, okay? I'm fine."Alice's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing. "You're lying to me,"
AliceI sat in the doctor's office, my heart shattering into a million pieces. The words she spoke felt like a dagger to my chest, leaving me breathless and bewildered."What did you say again?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The doctor's sympathetic gaze only made my anxiety spike."Your husband has Pineal Cystoma," she repeated, her tone gentle but firm.I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "What the hell is that?" I demanded, my eyes welling up with tears. My voice cracked as I spoke, betraying my desperation.The doctor's expression softened further. "It's a rare brain condition, Alice. I'm so sorry."I couldn't process the words. "My husband is fine," I insisted, denial clawing its way up my throat. "What do you mean he has some stupid sickness I've never heard of?"The doctor's eyes filled with compassion. "I'm afraid it's not just a sickness, Alice. Pineal Cystoma is a serious condition...and your husband doesn't have much time left."My mind reeled as she spoke,
Xavier"Will you speak already and stop staring?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin. The doctor's smile faltered, and she cleared her throat."Firstly, I would like to apologize. So, I'm so sorry, Mr. Blackwood," she began, her voice hesitant. "It appears we made a terrible mistake. The test result wasn't actually for your wife, Alice. It belonged to another patient."My mind reeled as the doctor's words hung in the air. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut."I'm deeply sorry for my negligence," the doctor continued, her eyes filled with regret. "As for your real test result..." She opened her drawer and pulled out a file. "We received it this morning, and I was about to contact you, but I forgot. I'm glad you both came in."I snatched the file from her hand, my heart racing. I scanned the pages, my eyes devouring the words. And then I saw it – the test result, confirming that our baby was healthy.A wave of relief washed over me, followed by a rush of joy. I felt like I was wal
AliceXavier's sudden grip on my hand was like a vice, his fingers digging deep into my skin. I winced, trying to wiggle my hand free, but he only tightened his hold. My wrist throbbed in protest, the pain shooting up my arm."Xavier, please," I begged, trying to keep my voice steady. "You're hurting me."But he didn't respond. Instead, he pulled me along, his strides long and purposeful. I stumbled, trying to keep up with him."Where are you taking me?" I asked, my voice rising in alarm.Xavier's face was set in a grim mask, his eyes blazing with anger. He didn't answer, just kept pulling me along."Xavier, please calm down," I tried again, my voice softening. "Just listen to me, okay?"But he wasn't listening. He was beyond reason, his emotions simmering just below the surface. I'd never seen him like this before, his anger and frustration palpable.We reached the car, and Xavier yanked open the door, pushing me inside with a rough gesture. I landed hard on the seat, my wrist throbb
XavierAs I stepped out of the psychiatric rehab facility, the cool evening air enveloped me, a stark contrast to the sterile atmosphere I had just left behind. I slipped my hand into my pocket and retrieved a cigarette, the familiar ritual a comforting escape. I lit the cigarette with a flick of my lighter and took a long drag, feeling the nicotine coursing through my veins.My eyes drifted upward toward the sky as my mind began to wander. I knew I shouldn't be smoking, not with my health condition, but I couldn't bring myself to care. What was the point anyway? I was going to die soon, no matter what.As I stood there, lost in thought, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. "Sir, please wait!" a voice called out. I turned to see a woman running toward me, her face etched with worry and fear. She was panting heavily, her chest heaving with each breath.I watched her approach, my curiosity piqued. As she drew closer, I asked, "What's the problem?" My voice was calm, but my mind was
AliceI slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. The room was quiet, except for the soft hum of the air conditioner. I reached for my phone on the bedside table and dialed Wendy's number, but she didn't pick up.I sighed and tried Lexi's number instead. He answered on the first ring."Hey, where are you?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.There was a pause on the other end, and then Lexi whispered back, "What's going on? Why are you whispering, sis?""Never mind," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Has Xavier gone to work yet?""Yeah, he left some minutes ago," he replied.I sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "I just woke up."Lexi's tone turned curious. "Why does it seem like you're trying to hide from Xavier?"I sighed, feeling a pang of frustration."I'm not hiding from Xavier, actually. I just wanted to stay off him for some days."Lexi's voice turned skeptical. "Why?"I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I'm mad at him."Lexi's tone turned firm. "I
XavierI took a deep breath, my eyes locked on Lily's. "I want to apologize for treating you poorly back then," I said, my voice laced with remorse. "I gave you a cigarette and then rejected you because of it. I'm truly sorry about that."Lily's face scrunched up, and she shook her head. "No, I think I deserved it," she whispered, her voice cracking.I shook my head firmly. "No, you didn't. If I hadn't done that to you, you wouldn't have been triggered to seek revenge. I'm sorry, once again." My eyes pleaded for forgiveness. "I just came to unburden myself, to pour out my feelings. I acted like shit back then, and I'm deeply sorry."Lily's gaze met mine, her eyes brimming with tears. She searched my face, as if seeking the truth behind my words."Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why did you reject me when you gave me the cigarette? Why did you do that? It still confuses me to this day." Her eyes welled up with tears, and her voice cracked with emotion.I felt a pang